St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson to ring changes against Aberdeen

Stephen Robinson promised to ring the changes as St Mirren return from exacting European competition to demanding domestic duties on Sunday when they travel to Aberdeen.

The Buddies players put in an enormous effort against SK Brann at home on Thursday night, and were rewarded when substitute Toyosi Olusanya scored in the last minute of normal time in the first leg of their Conference League third qualifying round to take a 1-1 draw to Norway next week.

Robinson’s thoughts immediately turned to the second William Hill Premiership game of the season against the Dons and the Paisley side’s boss will rotate his squad – unbeaten in the first four games of the season – amid such a busy period.

“Our focus turned last night straight away to Aberdeen,” said the Northern Irishman, who will assess skipper Mark O’Hara who has missed the last two games with a thigh injury while Lewis Jamieson returned to training on Friday after recovering from a thigh problem.

“We had already done our due diligence on Aberdeen long before that because the games come thick and fast.

“We watched their game against St Johnstone (won 2-1) as well, they have threats who can hurt you, they have a new manager, a feel-good factor there at the moment.

“But if we perform like we did in the second half against Hibs (3-0), the full game against Valur (4-1), and use the resilience and defend like we did last night then we go up there quietly confident.

“The Thursday-Sunday turnaround is the hardest bit. This week we are not travelling (from abroad) so it is up to me to utilise the squad. I have to make quite a few changes. That is why we have got a squad.

“I believe in every player I have got here so we will make quite a few changes to freshen the whole side up and I believe the team will be a really competitive team on Sunday.”